Monday, November 14, 2011

Rajdhani

Situated between the Yamuna and the Arawali is the ancient capital of Sahajahen's Kingdom. The city has been the capital of the country for a hundred years now. This city, Delli, as it is more commonly called, is now my refuge.

My new 'nest' is amid the many embassies, in a locality where there are more dogs, watchmen and servants than landlords! Its a part of Delhi where blue plated cars and Porches' are a commonplace. Its a locality where the who's - who of Delhi live. Yet, in this part of Delhi, believe me, where you see the unemployed men tarry the lanes of the locality. It is also in this locality, I hear, the Nigerian drug racquet's run!  And there is so much more to learn!

During my first outing around Delhi, I was tempted to have my all time favourite - pav bhaji. The spelling should have alarmed me, but it did not. It so happened that I ordered 'pao' bhaji - and that was what I got. The 'pao' was the bread that is usually served with burgers. 'Oh', was all I could manage. As I had the first bite of my 'pao' bhaji, the potatoes cooked in tomato puree, made me say 'Oh no!'.

A new lesson was learnt in the rajdhani. In Rome do as the Romans do! In Delhi, the pav bhaji be damned, have channa bhatura instead! 

Wednesday, October 26, 2011


Change takes its toll and it did! A lot has changed in life both personally and professionally since my last post, and fortunately (or unfortunately) still is. And I am taking my time to adjust to change. The problem with adjusting is that sometimes there are so many strong undercurrents that pull one back and forth, up and down, high and low. The vertigo, i think I’d call it. And I am learning to love it. Funny, the things you have to learn in life! But so be it.
The vertigo I complain didn’t come in those envelopes that read ‘Change is imminent’, ‘Change is difficult’, ‘Change is emotionally draining’, ‘Change will test you’, ‘Change is dark and dingy’ so on and so forth? Nor did they come in yellow or red cards that to a layman imply caution and change in power position. That makes football sound so much more easier!  

I prayed earnestly today for a small miracle to come my way and light my way. And it came. We are of different temperaments - me and my dad. While I always stood up and spoke, he almost always sat down and heard. Today I got a practical lesson of bending low and yet keeping your head high. He practically showed me to react differently to the same situation. Today I learnt that sometimes, life slaps you on one cheek and kisses you on the other. That light flows through even the smallest cracks and crevices the same way it falls everywhere. You only have to see it! 

Hoping you all find the light at the end of the tunnel! (and me to!) Here’s wishing you a very Happy Diwali.